Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is a numerical technique that enables the analysis of liquid and gas flows by solving the Navier–Stokes equations. This method makes it possible to reproduce physical phenomena occurring in flow environments without the need for costly and time-consuming experimental tests.

History and Development of the Method

The origins of CFD date back to the 1960s, when the first computational programs were applied in the aerospace industry. Over time, the technology expanded to other fields of engineering, including energy, construction, transportation, and fire protection. Today, CFD tools such as ANSYS Fluent and FDS (Fire Dynamics Simulator) are widely used by both researchers and practicing engineers.

Applications of CFD Simulations in Investments

CFD plays a crucial role in the design of HVAC systems as well as in fire development simulations. For example, a study on smoke propagation in a hospital isolation room (arxiv.org, 2024) demonstrated how even minor changes in air supply diffuser placement can significantly affect the trajectory of SARS-CoV-2 particles.

In production halls, warehouses, and transport tunnels, CFD is used to analyze the behavior of air, smoke, and heat. Research has shown that the effectiveness of a smoke control system in a warehouse may vary drastically depending on wind direction and speed.

Benefits of Using CFD Simulations

Reducing Investment Costs

In the case of smoke ventilation, CFD allows for highly accurate optimization of the number, type, and placement of exhaust and jet fans. This helps avoid system oversizing and unnecessary costs, while ensuring compliance with fire safety requirements.

At SMAY, we have conducted hundreds of CFD simulations that verified the performance of smoke ventilation systems. In many cases, simulations also enabled fan size optimization while meeting design requirements or reducing the required fire resistance class of equipment.

Improving User Safety

CFD simulations in smoke ventilation make it possible to precisely analyze how smoke and hot gases will spread during a fire, depending on fan operation, fire location, and space geometry. This allows the design of effective system operation scenarios, minimizes the risk of smoke entering evacuation routes, and extends the available safe egress time.

For comfort ventilation, CFD also enhances microbiological safety by analyzing aerosol dispersion in indoor environments (which proved critical during the COVID-19 pandemic).

The Process of Conducting a CFD Simulation

A CFD simulation is a complex process that requires specialized knowledge, accurate representation of real conditions, and appropriate technical resources. In the context of both smoke and comfort ventilation, every stage is vital to ensure accuracy and usability of the results.

tages of a CFD Simulation:

1. Problem and documentation analysis, and assumption definition — establishing the goal and scope of calculations.
2. Geometric modeling — creating a 3D model of the facility (e.g., garage, warehouse, residential unit, or corridor), including all relevant obstacles and openings.
3. Meshing (computational grid generation) — dividing the geometry into millions of small elements where flow equations are solved.
4. Boundary condition definition — specifying parameters such as air velocity, temperature, smoke sources, supply and exhaust fans, including emergency scenarios.
5. Numerical calculations (solver) — performing iterative computations using advanced algorithms.
6. Validation of results — comparing simulation outputs with experimental data or design guidelines.
7. Data analysis and interpretation — preparing visualizations of flow patterns, temperature distributions, smoke zones, evacuation efficiency, and more.

CFD Simulations with SMAY

SMAY offers comprehensive CFD analysis services, carried out already at the project development stage, enabling error elimination and system optimization at the concept phase. The scope of service is tailored to the specific characteristics of the facility, and clients receive a professional report including assumptions and detailed results.

CFD simulations performed by SMAY allow for:

• evaluating the effectiveness of stairwell smoke control,
• analyzing fire development and ducted/jet ventilation operation in garages (including determination of the required fire class of fans F400/F600),
• assessing smoke control performance in large-volume spaces (atria, halls, lobbies),
• analyzing smoke extraction in horizontal evacuation routes,
• verifying the effectiveness of pressure differential systems in escape routes,
• estimating required evacuation time.

An additional advantage of these analyses is the ability to compare multiple system configurations and select the most effective solution, leading to cost savings and correct implementation of smoke ventilation systems in practice.

Summary and Recommendations

CFD simulation is a versatile tool that delivers tangible benefits to investors, designers, and building managers. It is particularly valuable for facilities:

• with complex geometries,
• requiring non-standard ventilation solutions,
• with significant public utility functions.

Recommendation: choose a reliable partner with proven experience in CFD simulations—one who not only performs the simulations but also interprets them correctly and translates the results into actionable design decisions.